Hall of Fame trainer and analyst Teddy Atlas has urged Oleksandr Usyk to end his career in a contrasting fashion to those of Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis.

The Ukrainian has already cemented himself as one of the all-time greats, while perhaps not being placed on the same pedestal as Ali and Louis.

This is partly because Ali, for instance, competed at world level for the best part of 15 years, defeating the likes of George Foreman and Joe Frazier in legacy-defining encounters.

Similarly, Louis demonstrated his longevity by setting a heavyweight record (25) for the most successful title defences, while reigning as a dominant champion for almost 12 years.

But while both these legends crafted astonishing Hall of Fame careers, they ultimately paid the price for remaining in the sport several years after reaching their peaks.

Usyk, on the other hand, has the opportunity to leave boxing on his terms after becoming a two-division undisputed champion.

Speaking with CanadaCasino, Atlas highlighted this as the most desirable option for a man with signature wins over Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

“All I want is for Usyk to do something not every great fighter has been able to pull off: walk off into the sunset at your best.

“Walk off whole, healthy, and with the memory that we deserve to have about you. The great Joe Louis couldn’t do it. The great Muhammad Ali couldn’t do it. I’d like to see Usyk do that. It’s not for Teddy Atlas to choose that time; it’s for Usyk to choose that time. But I think he’s starting to choose it.”

Coming off an 11th-round stoppage of Rico Verhoeven in May, Usyk relinquished his heavyweight titles and revealed that he has just one fight left.

Many suspect that this will arrive against former WBC champion Deontay Wilder, who comes off a split decision victory over fellow veteran Derek Chisora.

Neutral-site games present a different challenge than playing at home or away. Often encountered in bowl games or preseason showcases, they tend to level the playing field.

The table below shows the wins, losses, and win percentages for the region’s top programs as the away team favorite over the last 10 seasons.

BYU and New Mexico State lead the way, followed by New Mexico, Utah, and Oregon State.

Winning % in Neutral Site Games by Program Since 2006

Filip Hrgovic has revealed one area of weakness that could make him vulnerable to a stoppage defeat when he faces Moses Itauma.

The two heavyweights will square off for the vacant IBF title on August 29, headlining a Queensberry Promotions pay-per-view show at London’s O2 Arena.

Initially, they had agreed to a non-title fight, only for both combatants to be given an additional incentive after Oleksandr Usyk vacated his three major belts in June.

The winner must then face mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez, who agreed to a step-aside fee following his manager’s negotiations with Queensberry promoter Frank Warren.

In terms of the task at hand, though, it must be said that Itauma is approaching his toughest assignment thus far, with Hrgovic having previously fought for the IBF title in 2024.

Back then, the Croatian had arguably built a slight lead against Daniel Dubois, only for the ringside doctor to prompt an eighth-round stoppage after inspecting the damage around his eyes.

It is worth noting, too, that these cuts were reopened – albeit to varying degrees of severity – in Hrgovic’s subsequent victories over Joe Joyce, David Adeleye and Dave Allen.

Speaking with DAZN, the 34-year-old admitted that this is of genuine concern as he gears up to face the sharp-shooting Itauma.

“That’s the only thing I’m afraid of. I can’t do anything about that. In my last three or four fights, that cut was opening, so it’s obviously a sensitive part of skin.

“I know when [Itauma] hits me, I’m going to continue coming. But, for the cut – if it’s open – I cannot close it with the power of my will. The [ringside] doctor is going to decide [whether the fight continues].

“Besides that, I’m not afraid of his power or his speed or anything like that.”

If Itauma proves successful against Hrgovic, perhaps via a stoppage on cuts, then he will become the youngest heavyweight champion since Mike Tyson defeated Trevor Berbick in 1986.

AUS vs BAN 1st Test Highlights© AFP

Zharnel Hughes was all smiles after sprinting to European 200m silver because perhaps there’s a chance a gold might one day be in the post.

Hughes was beaten to the 200m title by German sprinter Owen Ansah, who is racing at the Alexander Stadium despite facing a possible four-year ban.

Last month, shortly before competing at the Diamond League in Monaco, Ansah allegedly failed to submit to a doping test at home. Germany’s anti-doping agency has alleged an anti-doping rule violation and is seeking a four-year suspension, which he contests.

Sports law is all about process, though sometimes that process can produce deeply unsatisfactory situations. The capacity crowd at the Alexander Stadium may well have to wait weeks, months or even years to know whether the result they witnessed will ultimately stand.

“I hope everyone will know my name now,” said Ansah. “This race was just more for me. At a championship you never know what can happen.”

Hughes came in ranked first in Europe and was seeking to complete a first-ever sweep of the men’s and women’s 100m and 200m European titles for Great Britain.

After winning 100m bronze, Ansah said he was “not afraid” of potentially losing the medal later. However, German officials have decided not to select him for Saturday’s men’s 4x100m relay amid concerns that any subsequent sanction could affect his team-mates.

Ansah, the first German sprinter ever to run under 20 seconds for 200m and under 10 seconds for 100m, remains free to compete while the German agency carries out what it called a “results management process”.

The case concerns a rule barring athletes from evading, refusing or failing to submit to doping tests. Ansah denies the allegation, claiming testers turned up at his home as he was leaving for the airport. He said he could not provide a urine sample as he had recently used the bathroom and said he was not informed of the consequences of not providing one. In a separate case, former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova was recently given a four-year ban for refusing a test.

Hughes, the European champion over the distance four years ago, was beaten square. Whether the result ultimately stands is another matter and he gave a diplomatic “no comment” to enquiries about whether Ansah should have been on the start line.

“A medal is a medal and I’m on the podium, that’s all that matters to me,” he said. “I’ve had an up-and-down season where my body just hasn’t been feeling right, to be very honest with you.

“I’m a little healthier now. Credit to my team, who have helped me massively and done their very best to give me the best chance possible to be here.

“It’s just been feeling a little nervy. There are times when I’ve felt like, ‘OK, my body’s feeling well,’ and then shortly after that my body might feel off again and not be firing the way it’s supposed to.”

At 31, Hughes admits his best days may not be ahead of him. It’s three years since – in the space of less than a fortnight – he became the first European to break 9.85 for 100m and 19.85 for 200m.

And while silver here was an improvement on his showing at the recent Commonwealth Games, where he came home a distant sixth in his semi-final, he still thinks there is more to give.

“You can’t live in the past,” he added. “Unfortunately, this year, it’s just sport. You have to work through it and move on.

“In this sport you can’t dwell on anything. You have 24 hours to feel your emotions and go through everything you have to go through, then it’s history.

“I really gave it my best and I want to make these last few years count. I’m 31 now and people say I’m getting old, but I don’t feel old. I still feel like I’ve got plenty of youth left in me.”

Ansah’s future is also unclear, though he insists he “will not accept” any sanction levelled against him.

“Our client has at no point refused to undergo a doping test,” said his lawyer, Rainer Tarek Cherkeh, who also represented Hamburg defender Mario Vuskovic during his unsuccessful challenge to a doping ban following a positive test for EPO.

“He has at no point refused to provide a sample. And he has at no point said, or given the impression, that he did not wish to undergo a doping test.”

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Defending champion Islam Makhachev battles No. 1 ranked contender Ian Machado Garry for the UFC welterweight championship in the main event at UFC 330: Makhachev vs. Machado Garry on Saturday at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. The five-bout main UFC 330 fight card is scheduled to start at approximately 9 p.m. ET on Paramount+. Makhachev made his welterweight debut at UFC 322 this past November and earned the UFC welterweight championship with a unanimous decision win over Jack Della Maddalena. Machado Garry, meanwhile, is coming off a unanimous decision win over Belal Muhammad at UFC Fight Night: Tsarukyan vs. Hooker on Nov. 22, 2025. Visit our DraftKings promo code review to see their latest offers and get started. Bet $5 and get $150 in bonus bets at DraftKings here:

In the main event, Makhachev is a -365 favorite (risk $365 to win $100) in the UFC 330: Makhachev vs. Machado Garry odds at DraftKings Sportsbook, while Machado Garry is at +285. Before locking in any UFC 330: Makhachev vs. Machado Garry picks, make sure you see the UFC 330 predictions and betting advice from SportsLine expert Kyle Marley.

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Now, Marley has studied Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry from every angle and revealed his top betting picks for sports betting apps. Head to SportsLine to see them.

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Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry preview 

Makhachev, 34, is a highly decorated Russian fighter who holds several UFC lightweight records. Among them include longest winning streak (14), most title fight wins (5), most successful title defenses (4) and highest significant strike accuracy at 59.5%. He is the 11th multi-division champion in UFC history. He is a three-time Fight of the Night recipient as well as a three-time Performance of the Night winner.

Makhachev has compiled a 28-1 all-time record as a professional. He has five wins by knockout, 13 by submission and 10 by decision. He is on a 16-bout winning streak. He suffered his lone defeat to Adriano Martins by knockout at UFC 192 on Oct. 3, 2015. Makhachev was the CBS Sports 2023 MMA Fighter of the Year. Check out SportsLine to see Marley’s picks and analysis.

Machado Garry, 28, who is from Ireland, was a Cage Warriors welterweight champion prior to joining UFC in July 2021. He made his MMA debut in February 2019, earning a unanimous decision victory over James Sheehan at Cage Warriors 101. After starting his career 7-0, he joined UFC where he knocked out Jordan Williams at 4:59 of the first round at UFC 268. He continued his winning ways, compiling a 15-0 record before losing a unanimous decision to Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 on Dec. 7, 2024.

In 18 career matches, he is 17-1 with seven wins by knockout, one by submission and nine by decision. He is a one-time Performance of the Night winner and tied for the third-longest winning streak in UFC welterweight division history at eight. Machado Garry was a 2023 second team MMA All-Star. You can only see Marley’s picks and analysis at SportsLine. 

UFC 330: Makhachev vs. Machado Garry predictions

One of of Marley’s UFC 330: Makhachev vs. Machado Garry picks: He is backing Myktybek Orolbai (-675) to defeat Jeremiah Wells (+490) in a welterweight bout on the early preliminary card.

“Wells is a decent wrestler with KO power, but I don’t give him any stylistic advantages here other than maybe one-punch power,” Marley said. “I think Orolbai is the better wrestler and I like him to be the cleaner striker with better cardio. Give me Orolbai to win all three rounds.” See who else to back here.

How to make UFC 330: Makhachev vs. Machado Garry picks 

Marley also has strong picks for Makhachev vs. Machado Garry and other bouts on the UFC 330: Makhachev vs. Machado Garry card. He’s also backing an underdog who is “the better and more dangerous grappler” to emerge with a big victory. He’s sharing who it is only at SportsLine.

Who wins Makhachev vs. Machado Garry, and how exactly does the fight end? Visit SportsLine now to get detailed picks and analysis from the incomparable expert who is up over $21,000 on his UFC picks since May 2018, and find out.

UFC 330 main fight card, odds 

See picks at SportsLine.
(Odds from DraftKings and subject to change)

Islam Makhachev (-365) vs. Ian Machado Garry (+285)
Mackenzie Dern (-258) vs. Gillian Robertson (+210)
Charles Johnson (-125) vs. Eduardo Chapolin (+105)
Mansur Abdul-Malik (-550) vs. Dustin Stoltzfus (+410)
Edson Barboza (+360) vs. Esteban Ribovics (-470)

Sean O’Malley recently shared his thoughts on Ian Machado Garry’s comments at the UFC 330 presser.

Garry is set to challenge Islam Makhachev’s reign over the welterweight division this weekend at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While the Irishman is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar last November, Makhachev outpointed Jack Della Maddalena over five rounds at UFC 322 to win the 170-pound title that same month.

While Garry and Makhachev haven’t taken any personal or hard-hitting shots at each other in the build-up to their fight, the Irishman has stirred controversy with some of his comments in the weeks leading up to UFC 330.

During the pre-fight press conference, Garry called out a journalist for asking Makhachev “a loaded question” and scolded him. Reacting to a clip of this exchange in a YouTube video, O’Malley said:

“Islam was about to say something funny, and you ruined it… God damnit, Ian, you did it again; that’s why they don’t like you. That answer sucked. Wasn’t even for you… Don’t do that. Coming from a guy who’s not good at press conferences, that was bad.”

Islam Makhachev explains not being surprised at Ian Machado Garry getting booed by fans

Islam Makhachev recently shared his take on Ian Machado Garry catching heat from the fans ahead of UFC 330 and explained why he wasn’t surprised.

In a pre-fight press conference (via @full_send_mma on X), the Dagestani grappling savant claimed that people didn’t know whether Garry was an Irishman or a Brazilian and were just confused about his nationality. He said:

“I’m not surprised; nobody likes Ian Garry, myself included. People are confused about which country he represents, Brazil or Ireland. People don’t know. People know who they should support. Thank you for all your support, guys.”